Health and Safety

Executive

OCE

Breaking containment
hydrocarbon lines

Offshore
COSHH
essentials
This information will help offshore
dutyholders (owners, operators and
contractors) to comply with the Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to
protect workers health.

Control approach 1
General ventilation
What this sheet covers

This sheet describes good practice for opening hydrocarbon lines. It

covers the key points you need to follow to help reduce exposure to an
acceptable level, as part of your COSHH assessment.

Hazards

3 Process fluids are complex

mixtures in the liquid state
(crude oil, condensate) and will
contain BTEX (benzene, toluene,
ethyl benzene and xylenes),
It will help you carry out COSHH
natural gas (predominantly
assessments, review existing assessments,
methane), and liquefied
CRUDE
deliver training and in supervising activities
petroleum gases (butane and
DIRECTION OF FLOW
involving substances hazardous to health.
propane).
3 Health risks include cancer,
It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities
genetic damage, narcosis, and
include the management of substances
toxicity by inhalation, or skin contact
hazardous to health on offshore
3 The workplace exposure limit (WEL) for benzene is 1 ppm (8-hour
installations (eg occupational health
time-weighted average (TWA)). Keep exposure as far below this as
specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors
reasonably practicable.
etc). It is also useful for trade union and
3 Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) may be present in hydrocarbon process
employee safety representatives.
systems, particularly when reservoirs begin to mature and water out
(see OCE6).
Following this guidance is not compulsory
3 Mercury may also be present in process plant and vessels (see
and you are free to take other action. But
OCE14).
if you do follow this guidance, you will
normally be doing enough to comply with
Access and equipment
the law. Health and safety inspectors seek 3 Erect barriers and notices.
to secure compliance with the law and may 3 Restrict access.
refer to this guidance as illustrating good
3 See sheet OCM1 if work is in a confined space.
practice.
This guidance consolidates good control
practice and reinforces existing knowledge
with additional information.

Planning and procedures

Also see essential information on the back
of the sheet.

Planning
3 Define the isolation standards and routines for draining, purging and
venting.
3 Provide for drainage to appropriate drains, eg closed drains.
3 Provide for gas venting to a safe place, eg a flare stack or cold vent.

Breaking containment hydrocarbon lines

OCE12

General ventilation

Employee checklist

Control equipment

3 In poorly ventilated areas, provide enough fresh air to dilute and remove
air contaminants.
3 Provide a benzene-specific monitor.
3 Provide a spillage clean-up kit.
3 Provide eyewash equipment and an emergency shower close to the
work site.
Control procedures

3 Isolate the line for safe opening.

3 Connect via valves and lock the pipework to the appropriate drain.
Purge and drain the fluids.
3 Vent pressurised gases to a safe place.
3 Prove isolation. Carry out pressure build-up (PBU) checks.
3 Prove it is free of gas, if necessary, have the authorised tester perform
the gas test.
3 Workers should break joints gently. In the event of an unexpected
release, workers should evacuate the area immediately and raise the
alarm.
3 Fit Disturbed joint tags on broken joints.
3 Fit and leak-test blind flanges within 12 hours if the work is not finished.
3 Never allow pipe ends to remain open.
3 Test for leakage on remaking the joint.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

3 Where necessary, provide CE-marked respiratory protective equipment

(RPE) with an assigned protection factor of at least 10 for vapour.
Other protective equipment

3 Where necessary, provide chemical eye protection (visor or goggles) in

addition to standard eye protection.

3 Provide disposable coveralls (type 6).

3 Provide clean chemical-resistant gloves, eg nitrile, and new gloves
when these are damaged.

Maintenance, examination and testing

Checking and maintenance
3 Make and follow schedules for preventative maintenance of plant and
monitoring equipment.
3 Before each use, check that portable monitors are fully charged and
working properly.
3 Check for signs of damage to control equipment before starting work.
Records

3 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.
Exposure monitoring
3 Prove that you are using the right level and type of RPE use
monitoring records or carry out personal air monitoring.
3 Use personal monitoring results to decide if you need to carry out
biological monitoring for benzene.

Are you sure about safe

work procedures?
Is the equipment in good
condition and working
properly?
Is your portable/personal
alarm fully charged and
working properly?
Is your respirator working
properly? Check it every
time.
Look for signs of leaks,
wear and damage before
every job.
Do you have a spill clean-
up kit handy?
If you find any problem,
get it fixed. Dont just
carry on working.
Discard single-use gloves
every time you take them
off. Discard other gloves
at the end of the shift.
Wash hands before
eating, drinking or using
the lavatory.

Breaking containment hydrocarbon lines

OCE12

General ventilation

Cleaning and housekeeping

3 Place a temporary bund to contain any spillage.

3 Clear up small spills with inert absorbent pads. Dispose as hazardous
waste.
Waste
3 Residues are hazardous waste. Label containers clearly include a
UN number where appropriate. Store and dispose of waste safely.
Personal decontamination and skin care
3 Provide warm water, mild skin cleansers, nailbrushes, and soft paper,
fabric towels or hot air for drying. Avoid abrasive cleansers.
3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt
from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils.
Caution: Barrier creams or liquid gloves do not provide a full barrier.

Training and supervision

3 Provide supervision ensure that safe work procedures are followed.

3 Tell workers, including maintenance workers, what the hazards and
risks are.
3 Training includes toolbox talks on:
n following safe working procedures;
n how to use equipment properly;
n how to use the benzene monitor;
n how to react to alarms and evacuate safely;
n how to use RPE and check that it is working;
n how to clean up spills correctly; and
n what to do if something goes wrong.
3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training.
Essential information
OCE0 Advice for managers
OCM1 Confined spaces
OCM3 Personal protective equipment (PPE)
OCM4 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
OCM5 Emergency planning
OCE6 if hydrogen sulphide is present
ORE1 if NORM is present
OCE14 if mercury is present

Other hazards
Flammability
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
n NORM (naturally occurring
radioactive material)
n Substances harmful to the
marine environment
n
n

Further information
Respiratory protective
equipment at work: A practical
guide HSG53 (Third edition)
HSE Books 2005
ISBN 978 0 7176 2904 6
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg53.htm
The safe isolation of plant and
equipment HSG253
HSE Books 2006
ISBN 978 0 7176 6171 8
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg253.htm
Guidance on permit-to-work
systems: A guide for the
petroleum, chemical and allied
industries HSG250 HSE Books
2005 ISBN 978 0 7176 2943 5
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg250.htm
Developing process safety
indicators: A step-by-step guide
for chemical and major hazard
industries HSG254 HSE Books
2006 ISBN 978 0 7176 6180 0
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg254.htm
Workplace exposure limits
EH40 www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/
table1.pdf
You can find the full Offshore
COSHH essentials series at
www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK

offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.
Crown copyright 2011

Published by the Health and Safety Executive

03/11